English: Production of vermicomposting from introduces earthworms and exotic plants to develop sustainable farming systems.

    

Executive Summary

 

Earthworm can generally be called as biological indicators of soil fertility for soil with earthworm most definitely support healthy populations of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, prtozones insects, millipedes and other hosts are essential for sustaining a healthy soil. Earthworms are the unheralded soldiers of the soil. They aerate, break up soil for easier access by plant roots, and help the soil hold more water cleanup dead organic matter by eating it and turning it into world’s best plant food. Earthworms are very sensitive to hydrogen ion concentration. Most of the species of earthworms prefer soil with about neutral pH. They avoid drought and dry soils either by migrating to lower layers or by entering a stage of dispose. The earthworms can tolerate temperature ranging from 0°C to 40°C with pH of 7 but the regeneration capacity is more at 25°C to 40°C and 40-45% moisture contents and partially decomposed organic matter is rich in nitrogen. Generally earthworms are more active in moist soil than dry soil. The kind and amount of food material available in soil influence the size of earthworm’s population, species diversity, growth rate and cocoon production. Thailand has about 100 species of earthworms which are adapted to a range of vermiculture needs. They prefer these factor like- soil texture, substrate aeration, temperature, moisture, pH, inorganic salts, organic matter, reproductive potentials, enzymatic digestion and also microbial decomposition of substrate in intestine of earthworms. There are many species of earthworms and each has different preferences for soil conditions.

The most common types of earthworms used for vermicomposting are brandling worms (Eisenia foetida) and Redworms or Red wigglers (Lumbricus rubellus). Often found in aged manure piles, they generally have alternating red and buff-colored stripes.They are not to be confused with the common garden or field earthworm (Allolobophora caliginosa and other species). Although the garden earthworm occasionally feeds on the bottom of a compost pile, they prefer ordinary soil. Redworms and brandling worms, however, prefer the compost or manure environment. Passing through the gut of the earthworm, recycled organic wastes are excreted as castings, or worm manure, an organic material rich in nutrients that looks like fine-textured soil. Finished vermicompost should have a rich, earthly smell if properly processed by worms. Vermicompost can be used in potting soil mixes for house plants and as a top dressing for lawns. Screened vermicompost combined with potting soil mixes make an excellent medium for starting young seedlings. Vermicompost also makes an excellent mulch and soil conditioner for the home garden. The survival, biomass production and reproduction of earthworms are the best indicator to evaluate the vermicomposting process.